The rogue: or The life of Guzman de Alfarache. VVritten in Spanish by Matheo Aleman, seruant to his Catholike Maiestie, and borne in Seuill

CHAP. III.

How Guzman departed from his Mothers house vpon a Friday towards the Euening, discouering by the way the torments of hunger, and that which befell him with his Hostesse, recounting many notable examples of some Rules of ill gouernment.

I Was a fat plumpe Lad, well fed, and cockerd vp, bred in Seuill, neuer checkt, chid, nor corrected by my Father: My Mother (as you haue heard) a Widdow-woman, my selfe cram'd with Collops of Bacon, your finest Bread, and your daintiest Creame; your sops of Honey steep'd in Rose-wa∣ter, more lookt on and adored, then a Merchant of Toledo, or at least as good a man as he, it grieued me very much (be∣sides that the loue of a mans Country is sweet and deare vnto him) to forgoe thus my house, my kinsfolke and my friends. But being forced thereunto, I could not auoid it. The desire that I had to see the world, and to goe into Ita∣ly to take acquaintance of my Noble Kindred and Alliance, did much quic∣ken and put life into me.

I set forth, vvhich I ought not to haue done (I may be bold to say it) late, and vnluckily. And thinking to meet with some rich remedy, I lost all that little that I had. That hapned vnto me, which befell the Dogge in the Fable with the shadow of his piece of flesh in the water.

I had scarce gone out of the Citie gate, when (without being able to make resistance) two great Riuers (like an ouer-flowing Nilus) did breake out from forth mine eyes, watring my face in great aboundance, till it was bathed all ouer with teares. What vvith this, and the nights comming on (for it grew darke) I could not discerne any light of heauen; nor perceiue so much as a hands-breadth of earth as I went along. When I came to San Lazaro, (which is but a little way off from the Citie, I sate me downe there vpon the stayres or steps, by which we goe vp to that holy Hermitage. There I made a new muster of my life, suruay'd it ouer and ouer, and discoursed with my selfe thereupon. I was about to goe backe againe, for that I came forth ill proui∣ded, worse aduised, and poorely furnisht with money for so long a Voyage, hauing scarce sufficient to serue my turne for a farre shorter •…•…ourney. And amongst other my so many misfortunes, (vvhich vvhen they once beginne, come by clusters, hanging like Cherries, one at the tayle of another) it was Friday night; and withall, somewhat darke. I had neither supt, nor had any beuer that afternoone. Had I gone out of the Citie vpon a flesh day, although I had beene borne blind, my nose would haue helped mee to smell out some one Cookes shoppe or other, where I might haue bought a penny Pasty, wherewithall to entertaine my stomake, and to dry vp my teares, and so my sorrow would haue beene the lesse.

Then I began to perceiue, how much more sensible a man is of the good he loseth then when he inioyed it; and what difference there is betweene the hungry belly, and the full-fed paunch. All troubles passe the better with bread: Where good feeding fayleth, there no good followeth; no euill which aboundeth not; no pleasure that indureth, nor content to comfort vs. All fret and chafe, and know not why, nor wherefore. No man is in fault; and yet they lay it one vpon another; all runne vpon the haunt, feigning strange Chimera's in their heads; all is then nothing but gouernment; all is Philoso∣phy. I had a great minde to my supper, but the diuell a bit of any thing that I could get to put to my mouth, saue a little fresh water that ran from a foun∣taine that was there hard by. I knew not what to doe with my selfe, nor how

to cast about, to bring my self into some one Hauen or other. That vvhich did hearten me one vvay, did discourage me another. I found my selfe betwixt feares and hopes; a steepe downe-fall before mine eyes, and rauening Wolues ready to deuoure me at my backe. My thoughts began as fast to vvauer, as my feet did to vvander: at length I was vvilling to put my selfe into Gods hands. I entred into a Church, I powr'd foorth a short prayer, but vvhe∣ther deuout enough or no, I know not. Nor would they suffer me to dwell any longer on my Orizons; for the hower was come that they vvere to rid the Church, and to shut vp the doores.

The night was now shut vp, and with it my imaginations, but not the teares, that trickled from mine eyes: In this melancholy humour I fell at last asleepe vpon a seate without in the Church-porch. I know not what should be the reason of it, vnlesse peraduenture, that sleepe crackes cares, and breaks melancholy in twaine. As that Mountanese gaue vs to vnderstand, whogoing to bury his Wife, went bare-foot, and bare-legg'd; his Iacket with its inside outward; and so in the rest, all was Kim-kam, I know not how. In that mountainous Country the houses stand apart, and some of them very farre from the Church. And passing by a Tauerne, he perceiued white-Wine was there to be sold: whereupon he made as if he had some other necessary busi∣nesse to do, and sayd vnto them; On a Gods name, keepe on afore, my ma∣sters, with this vnfortunate Coarse, for I shall ouer-take you in a trice: So hee slunke backe, and went into the Tauerne; where taking cuppe after cuppe, he soop't so long, till he was starke drunke, and there fell asleepe. Now when those of his company came from the Buriall, and found him stretcht out vpon the floore, they called alowd vnto him; he after awhile being come againe to himselfe, looking somewhat heauily vpon them, sayd; Now a pockes of all ill lucke: pardon mee, (my masters) I pray, pardon mee; for, I sweare vnto you, that there is not any thing in the world, that causeth more thirst, or more sleepe, then sorrow. It was iust euen so with me; for it vvas now Sa∣turday morning, and the Sunne was some two houres high, vvhen I began to bethinke my selfe vvhat I had beene doing; nor should I haue vvak't so soone, if the Timbrels, and the Songs, and the Dancings of certaine Women, which came thither that day to keepe their Wake, and to feast, and be merry, vvith their dubbing, and their bawling, had not rowz'd me vp from sleepe. I got me vp, (though somewhat of the latest) hungry, and drowsie, vvithout know∣ing for a vvhile vvhere I vvas; so that me thought I vvas still as it vvere in a dreame. But when at last I vvas fully awake, and found all vvas true that I or saw, or heard, I said to my selfe; Echada esta la suerte, the Dye is throwne, God send me good lucke. And vvith this resolution, I vvent forward on my iourney; but the diuell awhit did I know vvhither I did go, nor indeed did I much stand vpon it; for all vvas one to me. At last, I tooke that vvay, which offered it selfe fairest to mine eye; let it lead vvhither it vvould, I did not care. Which did then put me in mind of those ill-gouerned both houses and Com∣mon-wealths, vvhere the feet performe the heads office. Where reason and vnderstanding doe not dispatch businesses; vvhere they haue not the com∣mand, it is to melt a mans gold, (come of it vvhat may come) and afterwards to adore a calfe. My feet carried me along; I followed as fast after them; come good, or come ill; ouer hill and dale trudge I. That happening vnto mee, vvhich befell a foolish Physician in Mancha; vvho had no learning in the vvorld, neuer studied any Physicall Author; but had gotten together (which he carried along with him) a great number of Receipts; some for Syrrupes, and some for Purges, vvhich were distributed into seuerall, either Boxes, or Vyols.

Now this cunning Leech, vvhen he visited any sicke-body, (and look't to be vvell payed for his paines, for the good he should do him) he vvould thrust

his hand into his Satchell, (vvhich he still bare about vvith him for these pur∣poses) and then vvould he take foorth one of his recipe's, saying first to him∣selfe, God dispose it to good. And so he gaue the Patient that vvhich came first to hand, vvithout any more ado; vvorke how it vvould vvorke, that was all one to him; he would put that still to the venture. In letting of blood, he kept no account either for the Veine, or the quantitie; but would cry, either a little more, or a little lesse, as he chanced to blurt the vvord at all aduen∣ture out of his mouth, casting himselfe vpon Fortune, rushing thorow thicke and thinne; like him that carelesly runnes thorow a Corne-field, where some Eares are trod vnder-foot, and some scape without harme; more by chance, then good cunning. I might then haue said to my selfe, as did hee, God dis∣pose it to good; for I did not know vvhat course I ran; I vvas ignorant of my vvay, nor could I tell, (if my life should haue lyen vpon it) whither I was bound.

But because his diuine Maiestie sendeth troubles, according to his owne good will and pleasure, and for such ends, as are best knowne to himselfe, they turne all to our greater good, if we can haue the grace to make true vse of them. They began now to come fast vpon me, and followed me at an inch, not allowing me one moment of content, nor affoording mee so much as a breathing-time from my cares, all the vvhile that I was abroad in my trauels: so that they neuer left, whither-soeuer I vvent. But these vvere not those, that vvere sent me of God; but onely those vvhich my selfe vvent seeking af∣ter. And there is a great deale of difference betweene the one, and the other: for those that come from the hand of God, he knowes how to free vs from them; and such as these, are Mynes of most pure gold, most precious Iewels, couered vvith a little Sward, or light Turfe of earth, vvhich vvith a little la∣bour may be discouered and found. But those, which men draw vpon them∣selues by their vices and sensuall delights, are gilded Pilles, which deceiuing the sight vvith a false show of a sauourie taste, put the body out of order, if not vtterly ouerthrow it. They are greene fields, full of venimous Vipers; stones (at the first sight) of great esteeme, but vnderneath are full of Scorpi∣ons: and lastly, an eternall death, vvhich deludeth vs with a short life.

This day hauing vvearied out my selfe with going onely but two little Leagues, (vvhich vvere the first that euer I vvent) it seemed vnto me, that I had arriued at the Antipodes, and like another famous Columbus, that I had discouered a new World. Well, I came at length to an Inne, full of sweate and dust; my feet surbated, my selfe sad, and aboue all, with my Mill in very good state to grind, my teeth sharpe, and my stomacke faint. It vvas about Noone, I ask't vvhat we might haue to dinner: they told me, That they had nothing but egges; it had not beene amisse if they had beene egges: for either vvhether the roguish Hostesse, through too much heat, clocking ouer them, or that the Foxe had kill'd the Hen, some vvere growne addle, others ready to hatch; and that she might not lose by them, shee had put them in a boxe, and had mingled them with other egges that were good. But shee did not deale so ill with me, God reward her according to her vsage of me: shee saw I was a young Lad, ruddy-cheek't, full-fac't, and plumpe withall; that I was a nouice in the world, and look't like a good honest simple Youth, and that any thing would serue me well inough: vpon this she ask't me; My pretty child, whence are you? I told her, I was of Seuill: vvith that, she came nee∣rer vnto me, and giuing me a chocke vnder the chin, she said vnto me; Now you little wanton foole, vvhither wander you? O good God, how did her stinking breath annoy me! with her very touching of me, me thought I had drawne old-age vpon me, the attraction was so sensible to my seeming. This made me imagine, that the vtmost of euils had now lighted vpon me, in mee∣ting vvith such a filthy vnsauoury Slut. And if my stomacke had beene full

at that time, as it was empty, I should haue spued out all within me; for my stomacke then rose vp to my mouth, and my guts had almost kist my lippes. I told her, that I was going to the Court, and vvisht her to giue me somwhat for my dinner. Then she made me sit downe vpon a lame Bench, and on the top of a little blocke, she spred a Dish-clout before me, iust for all the world, like vnto the Maulkins vvherewith she swept her Ouen; and this (forsooth) was my Table-cloth: my Salt-sellar, was the foot of an old broken Pitcher, or some piece of a pot-sheard, such as she sets full of water, to make her Poul∣try drinke: and halfe a Loafe of bread, that was blacker then her Napery. This preparation made, she presently powr'd me foorth vpon a plate a Froize of egges, which might more truly haue beene tearmed a Plaister of egges: they, the bread, the Iarre, the water, the Salt-sellar, the salt, the linnen, and the Hostesse, were all one; so well did they suit together. I knew my selfe to be a young traueller, and therefore held it discretion to make no reply, but to take all patiently; my tongue vvas tyed, my mouth muzzled, my stomacke empty my guts shrunke, and clung so close together, as if they had beene new∣ly milched. I was as sharpe set vpon my Froize, as a Hog is after Akornes, and slopt vp my egges, as a Sow do's Wash, I was so eager vpon the businesse. I made no bones of it, all went cleane vp together without any great chewing▪ howbeit, to speake the truth, I felt the tender bones of those vntimely Chic∣kens to crackle betweene my teeth, that they made my gummes to tickle a∣gaine. I must tel you truly, that me thought, (besides the ill-fauourednes of the taste, vvhich was not like that of other egges, which I vs'd to eate at home in my mothers house) this was but a coorse kind ofvsage; and such as I had not here-tofore beene acquainted with. But I did let that conceit passe by, and drown'd the imagination thereof in my hunger and wearinesse; conceiting with my selfe, that the distance of place, or difference of the Climate, might be the cause thereof, and that all egges were not of one sauour, nor of one qua∣lity. In conclusion, I digested all things so well, that I tooke it for a token of good lucke. For it is as proper to him that is hungry, not to stand vpon Sau∣ces, and your fine relishes; as to him that is in want, to step out into the high way, and to take a purse. No booty comes amisse to him that is in need. Beg, steale, or any thing, rather then starue.

I made light of it, my dinner was short, and as quickly dispatch't, and took in good part this my first course, though it could not well be courser. Vpon my bread I dwelt somewhat longer; I fell to that a little more leysurely, paw∣sing now and then betwixt euery bit; for it being likewise very bad, I was forced to take longer time; one morsell making way for another, that it might the more orderly descend downe into my stomacke. I began with the crust, and ended in the crumme, which was as tough as Whit-lether, and as dry as a Paste-boord. But whatsoeuer it were, were it better or worse, I deuoured euery iot of it; nor did leaue out of courtesie, the least crumme thereoffor the Ants to feed vpon, no more then if it had beene little, and good. That happe∣ning vnto me, which doth befall good feeders, when they fall close to a dish of fruit; who picking out first the best and the ripest, do (as in the eating of Cherries) eate vp the greenest and worst last, without once thinking of those that were gone before. Then did I eat apace, one bit (as they say) driuing down another, till I had made an end of halfe a Loafe: vvhich, if it had beene good, or but any thing reasonable, or that it had but pleased my eye, (for it was but poore browne-bread) I would haue taken in a greater crop, and haue filled vp my pann•…•…ll, with a whole Loafe of at least three pound weight. The yeere was barren by reason of the great droughts; and in such times as those, Seuill was wont to suffer much scarcitie; for euen in their better, and more plenti∣full yeeres, they haue had much ado to rub out: what hope can there then be, when corne is scant with them?

But it is not fit, that I should inlarge my selfe in this subiect, nor open the mysterie thereof vnto you, by giuing you a reason for it. I am a sonne of that Citie, a Towne-borne child: I will therefore hold my peace; for all the whole World is one and the same, here and there, and euery where, all alike. For no man buyes an a Office for any other end and purpose, but for his pro∣fit, be it publike, or be it priuate; they will grate and scrape, be it by hooke or by crooke, to raise a fortune there-out vnto themselues. Few are they, that will part with so many thousand Ducats, for to do good vnto the poore, but to themselues. For ere they will bestow a farthing-token on a poore body by way ofalmes, they will first examine the businesse, and consult with them∣selues, whether it be a charitable act or no.

Thus it fared with a Regidor, who being espied by an old man, one of that Towne where he had to doe, to exceed the bounds of his duty, and to doe things beyond his Commission, call'd him vnto him, and told him; How now Sinior N, &c. Is this it, that you were sworne vnto, when you were admit∣ted at the Assembly, to be one of our Company, that you should goe about to picke vp your crummes a this fashion, and trot vp and downe to sharke for these b Menudo's? To whom he made this answer; Doe not you see, how I comply with mine Oath, since I come for them euery Saturday to the Sham∣bles? I bought them with my money, and I had them out of the poore sheepes belly. After this manner all things passe, in all places; it is the world. They go diuiding the spoile among themselues; they will fetch flowre from all parts to make themselues a good Cake. Claw me, claw thee: to day for me, tomorrow for thee: doe thou giue me leaue to buy, and I will giue thee leaue to sell. They make restraints for selling of Victuals, saue onely at such set times and places: they set the prices vpon all things, as if they were their owne: and when they please they will sell the same againe at vvhat rate they thinke fit. For all is theirs, as well what is bought, as vvhat is sold.

Myselfe am a Witnesse, that a Regidor of one ofthe chiefest Cities of An∣daluzia, and Kingdome of Granada, had a flock of sheepe, an herd of Goates, and some other milch-beasts; and for that the weather was cold, he could by no meanes vtter his milke, but euery man fell to his c Bunnuelo's. Now thin∣king with himselfe, that he should lose much thereby, if Lent should grow on, and should not remedy the matter before-hand, hee propounded at an open Meeting, or publicke Assembly, That the Moriscan Bunnulero's, or Fritter∣makers, did rob the Common-wealth. Hee rated them therefore at a lesser price, then it stood them in, amounting to little more then sixe d Marauedis. Well, he was willing in the end to raise them to eight, allowing them rather a small, then moderate gaine.

Hereupon, none would make of them, because they could get nothing by the bargaine. And so in that space or tract of time, he spent the profits of his Cattle, in Butter, Creame, fresh-Cheese, and other such like things, till the time of yeere was come, that he was to put foorth his Flockes and Herds of Cattle into the common fields. And when he began to make his Cheese, then would he raise vp your Bunnuelo's to twelue Marauedis, as they were at be∣fore; but then Summer was comming on, and they shortly to grow out of season. He himselfe did not sticke to report this crafty tricke of his, to teach men how to become good husbands, and how they ought to beate their brains, to make shift to liue.

Now let vs returne againe into our old way, from which we haue digrest: for me thinkes it is not meet, that we should lay all the fault vpon the Magi∣strates and Gouernours of Townes and Incorporations, being that wee may distribute it as well among others. Let vs throw some of this vpon your Pur∣veyors, and Commissaries; and not vpon all neither, but on some of them, as it may be foure out of fiue, or so; who like Caterpillers destroy the Land, by

robbing of poore old Men, and desolate Widdowes, by deceiuing of their betters, and by telling lyes, and informing false-hoods to their King; the one for to increase their lands and inheritances; and the other, to haue them confirmed vnto them, that they may settle a good estate vpon the Heires of their house, and haue where-withall to liue in fulnesse, and in plenty.

This likewise is somewhat out of the vvay from that discourse which I ought heere to treat of, and requires of it selfe a whole and intire booke. I treat in this of mine owne life, and therefore will not meddle with other mens; but I doe not know, whether I shall be able, when a ball offers it selfe so fairely vnto me, to pull backe my hand or no? For there is no man that is Master of himselfe, when he is on horsebacke: How much more is a man vn∣able to containe himselfe, in things so generally knowne? Both the one and the other is generally imbraced, and all walke the same way, yeelding the field to the stronger, crying out Uiuat, qui vincit, let him liue that conquers; and he weare gold that wins it. But alas, how do we deceiue our selues? For we are those that are conquered; and he that deceiueth, is the deceiued. I say then, that Seuilla per fas, aut per nefas, either by right or by wrong, one vvay or other, I know not vvhich (considering her aboundance of fruits, and the dearenesse of them) suffreth sterrilitie, and scarcitie; and that yeere was there greater vvant and penury then heretofore, by reason of some secret disorders, and through the couetousnesse of those, who should haue sought to remedy the matter, who did study onely their owne ends, and to make a particular fortune to themselues. The secret of this mysterie past onely betweene some three or foure of them, many were not acquainted with it, who without con∣sidering the ends, tooke in hand bad beginnings, and diuellish meanes, to the hurt of their owne Common-wealth.

In all my trauels, I haue euer obserued, that these great rich men, and pow∣erfull persons, are like vnto Whales, vvho opening wide the mouth & iawes of their couetousnesse, swallow vp all that comes in their vvay; to the end that their houses may be vvell prouided for, and their reuenues increased, vvithout casting any eye of compassion vpon the poore young Orphane; or lending an eare to the cry of the distressed Damsell; or affoording his shoul∣ders for to vphold the feeble and the vveake; or opening his charitable hands to relieue the sicke, and him that is in need: but rather vnder the name of good gouernment, euery man so gouernes himselfe, that hee does the best he can, to draw all the vvater to his owne Mill. They publish good desires; but they exercise bad actions. Their pretensions are faire; but their practise starke naught. They vvould seeme to be Gods Lambes, innocent and harme∣lesse soules, but the Diuell onely makes profit of them; they fall wholly to his share; he, and none but he reapes the fruit of them: God has the name indeede, but the Diuell hath the shearing of them. There vvas good store of Rye bread, passable inough, and at a reasonable price; He that had Wheat, reserued the Flowre of the Meale for his own table, and the refuse he brought forth to sell in the Market, as if any thing vvere good enough for the poore Commons. Our Officers and great men turn'd to be Bakers, and those went about to burne and waste the Country, which should haue rather beene willing to haue been burned for it. I can not deny, but this was puni∣shed, and that there were many good men, to whom euill seemed euill. But in such necessities as these, it is not to be holpen by a few. Besides, the great numbers of those that were interessed therein, did crush those, that offered to stirre against them, because they were poore. And if poore, it is inough, I need say no more. Let euery man make his owne coniecture, and discourse that with himselfe.

Perceiuest thou not how impatient I am? Seest thou not that I can not

containe my selfe? and how that my pen, before euer I thought of lashing out so farre, hath slipt vpon this Theame. They gaue mee the yarke with the spurre, and I turned my head to strike where they pricked me. I know not what excuse to make thee, but to tell thee, that I doe as Carriers doe, that driue their beasts of burthen before them, who rush the man that meetes them against the vvall, or throwes him to the ground, and then say, I cry you mercy, Sir. In conclusion, all the bread was nought, although then it did not rellish amisse with mee. I did refresh my selfe with eating, and did cheere vp my heart with drinking, for the Wines of those Countries are exceeding rich, generous, and full of spirit; and with this I had pretty well recouered my selfe, and receiued new courage. And my feet, that were wea∣ried out with bearing my belly, though empty, and of small weight (as being lightly laden) now that it was full, and had his loade, made shift to carry my feet.

And so I went on on my way, with no small care to know, what knacking of a Castannetas that might be, which made the Egges that I had eaten, to daunce in my mouth. My imagination was working to and fro vpon this matter; and the more it did beat vpon it, the more misfortunes represented themselues vnto me, and my stomake began to stirre more and more: for I could suspect nothing lesse then a kinde of loathing, seeing how ill they were drest, of what blacknesse the oyle, like to that which is in the bottome of a Lampe; a fowle Pan; and a fowle bleare-ey'd Hostesse.

Thus my imagination running from one thing to another, I met at last with the truth; and hauing gone another League, my fancy wrought so with me, that I could hold no longer. For as it is with your women that are with child, so was it iust with me. Eructations and belchings did come and goe from my stomake to my mouth, till at last I fell a vomiting, till there was not any thing left within me. And euen yet to this day, me thinkes I heare those little chickens, those poore pretty fooles, cry still peepe, peepe, within my bowels.

Being in this miserable taking, I sate mee downe on the side of a hollow Ditch, that seru'd for a fence to certaine Vines that were thereby; conside∣ring with my selfe the misfortunes that I had, and was like to runne into, much repenting my selfe of my ill aduised departure. But it is, and euer will be the fashion of young fellowes, to cast themselues away headlong, vpon their pre∣sent pleasures, without hauing an eye, or any regard in the world to their fu∣ture hurt, or the harme that will follow after.

Notes

• The delicacie wherem Guz∣man liued.
• Guzman de∣parts from Se∣uill to se•…•… the world; and what hapned vnto him the first night.
• Misfortunes sel∣dome come alone.
• He that hath not wherewithall to eate, •…•…ath store of sorrowes.
• The con•…•…it of a Mountanese.
• What •…•…ses and Common-wealths are ill gouerned.
• A •…•…le of an ig∣norant Phis•…•….
• Afflictions are sent vs by God for our good.
• Troubles sent from God, are Iewels:
• But drawne on by our selues, are torments vnto vs.
• The roguery of an Hostesse.
• He that is truly hungry, will not sticke to eate any thing.
• a

  Or a Monopoly▪ Aga•…•…st the •…•…l Gouernours and Magistrates of Seuill.
• b

  The conceit of this passage, co•…•…∣sists in the word Menudos, and its double signifi∣cat•…•…on. For Me∣nudo's are brasse Moneys: they signifie also particular neces∣sities. Menudo is likewise the in∣trailes of a sheep, together with the head and feet: and in birds, the garbage. And these are vsually eaten in Spaine vpon Saturday, but no other part of the carkase. This last significa∣tion sorts best.
• c

  Bunnuelo, is a certaine round Fritter compos'd of Meale, Oyle, and Hony: and is more vs'd in Spaine, then in any other parts, in Winter time. It is called Bunnu∣elo, quasi Pun∣nuelo, because it is strained or squeazed out of the Fist, and so let fall into the Pan of Oyle.
• d

  A Maraue∣dis, is a small piece of brasse∣money, 32. of them go to sixe∣pence.
• The craft of a couetou•…•… Magi∣strate.
• Rich men are like Whales: for they grow great by the hurt of others.
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  Castanne∣ta, is the stroke or sound, that is giuen with the Thumbe, and the middle finger, when they dance. And to make the noise the lowder, they tye two hol∣low thinne pieces of wood to their thumbe, which are made round after the manner of your Chesse-Nuts. Castan∣neta, beeing de∣riued from Ca∣stanna, which signifies a Chesse-Nut.